THE Victory pub in Pinner will be re-opening within the next fortnight after its mysterious closure three weeks ago.

Punch Taverns, the owners of the pub in High Street, Pinner, have confirmed that the pub will reopen but refused to comment on why it has been closed and why they are looking for a new landlord.

A spokesperson from the pub company said: "We are delighted to confirm that The Victory will be re-opening within the next fortnight.

"We are talking to a number of interested parties about taking on the pub on a long term basis.

"We remain committed to the future of the pub and preserving its place at the heart of the local community."

When the pub closed out of the blue almost three weeks ago rumours quickly started to gather pace around Pinner as to the reason why.

Terry Farr, owner of Friends restaurant, in High Street, Pinner, said: "It's one of those things you take for granted so at first I didn't notice it was closed.

"Rumours have been rife about what actually happened and some of it is obviously fact, but I think there's more to it than that.

"In the community we normally know what each other is doing but The Victory has never really been part of the overall catering community. It has always been a pub on its own because it caters to a different clientèle. I don't even think I have ever seen the landlord.

"Pubs are almost a dying phenomenon. There sued to be five pubs in Pinner but now there are just four including The Victory, but maybe that is one pub too many.

"It never seemed to be busy apart from the occasional evening and no commercial business can survive on just two nights a week. Some nights I have seen just one or two people in there. You do get a bit of trouble in there as well so maybe it needs a change."

A man was arrested at the pub on New Year's Eve on suspicion of GBH and two weeks prior to that two people were arrested for the same offence but no charges have been brought.